LONDON, Ont. — A pair of goals in each of the first two periods proved costly for the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, who dropped a 5–2 decision to the Western Mustangs on Friday night.

Western opened the scoring early when Madeleine Rai struck at 1:41 of the first period. The Mustangs doubled the lead on a power play late in the frame, but Madison Deschamps responded 41 seconds later to send Ontario Tech into the intermission down 2–1.

The Mustangs restored their two-goal cushion early in the second on a marker from Leah Barnard before adding another power-play goal midway through the period. Julia MacDonald gave the Ridgebacks life in the third, cutting the deficit to 4–2 at 3:26, but Ontario Tech couldn't build on the momentum. An empty-net goal from Alyssa Wouda in the final minute sealed the win for Western.

Zoe McGee finished with 25 saves for the Ridgebacks, steadying the team through extended stretches of Western pressure. Ontario Tech went 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Mustangs capitalized twice on four opportunities.

The Ridgebacks are right back on the road Saturday as they visit the Waterloo Warriors in their final game of the fall semester before the winter break.